Mercosur and the European Union announced on December 6, in the lead-up to the 65th Summit of the South American mechanism in the city of Montevideo, the closing of the text of the bilateral trade agreement, after 25 years of negotiation. This agreement now needs to be ratified by both parties.
Yamandú Orsi, 57 years old, assumed the presidency on Saturday and inaugurated a new administration of the leftist Broad Front (FA), after five years in opposition, according to news agency Xinhua.
The new president of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, along with the president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, agreed in Montevideo on the importance of advancing the ratification of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.
Orsi, upon assuming the presidency of Uruguay, highlighted the importance of quickly and successfully concluding the signing of the agreement between Mercosur and the EU. He considers this agreement a priority in his government's foreign policy and marks a milestone in international relations, offering multiple development opportunities for the countries involved, including Argentina.
For his part, Steinmeier expressed his gratitude for the invitation and wished success to Orsi's administration. He also emphasized the importance of nurturing and deepening bilateral relations, mentioning that Germans appreciate Uruguay. The association agreement between the EU and Mercosur represents an important economic and geopolitical milestone, according to the German president.
Steinmeier emphasized the need for the agreement to come into effect soon, as he considers it crucial for both parties. He highlighted that this agreement will create one of the largest free trade areas in the world, benefiting over 715 million inhabitants.
